I can remember when a girlfriend of mine tried to set me up with this young man she met.  A few days later on my way home from work, I got this text message from this “gentleman” introducing himself as my friend’s acquaintance. When I saw that message, I immediately laughed at his approach. Not to be pompous but I’m not a big believer of text message introductions or date requests in the initial stage of meeting someone. First impressions are important and his communicated a distance that didn’t make me “warm and fuzzy”. Even my girlfriend was disappointed with his approach when I told her.

While many of us – men and woman – have probably had similar situations or worse, in this sea of single solitude is an “Old School Love” possible in today’s landscape? Seeing Leela James’s concept of “Old School Love” really inspired me but I have to ask in this day of high profile divorces, Atlanta Housewives who are only dramatized “exes” and a distorted concept of “staying together”, is the idea of having an “Old School Love” obsolete? Should men and women let go of the process of courting and friendship to the fast “iRelationship” trends of today?  Have we gone too far down the road of having the “new school” that we lost the foundation of the “old school”?

Here is Leela James speaking on her current album, Loving You More…In the Spirit of Etta James, what “old school love” means to her and whether we can find it in today’s world.

Tell us what you think?

Check out some of the new music released this week.

Sparkle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Leela James: Loving You More In The Spirit Of Etta James

Lenny Williams: Still In The Game

Karyn White: Carpe Diem

Joss Stone: The Soul Sessions Vol. 2

J. Moss: V4… The Other Side

Allen Stone: Allen Stone (Physical Re-Release)

Various Artists: Smooth Jazz Tribute To Jaheim

For those of you who missed the 1st Hit Listening Lounge earlier this month, here is your chance to catch it right here. Here is the FULL interview with the “blues baby” herself, Leela James. So sit back, relax and enjoy this insightful and great interview. Also be sure to check out her upcoming tribute album, “Loving You More…In the Spirit of Etta James”  coming out July 31st.

Special thanks to Harmony in Life, Music Addikts, and Moods Music & JB.

Hola my Grown Folks family!!!

As you know, I always like to keep you in the loop of new music and buzz when I find it on the low.  Sooooo,  I got this little nugget in the inbox the other day.  Here is the new single, “I’m Loving You More Every Day” from Leela James’ new CD “Loving You More…In the Spirit of Etta James” out 7/31. This video montage, produced by AAA Radio, features some of Leela’s personal  photos with family and musicians like Patti LaBelle, India. Arie and a few other familiar faces!!!

Oh and to hear our GFM conversation with Leela regarding the upcoming homage album to Etta James, click here!

From the church stomping R&B of Ray Charles to the deep down Delta blues of B.B. King, Leela James has performed with some of the best in music. Now with a new album on Shanachie Entertainment entitled “Loving You More…In the Spirit of Etta James” Leela will be giving tribute to a legend who’s known not just for classic songs like “At Last”, “Something’s Got a Hold of Me” and “Sunday Kind of Love” but for her raw “heart and soul” vocals in rock, soul, jazz and R&B. In our GFM interview with Leela we talked about the inspiration behind the album, the song she would choose for an Etta duet and her thoughts to the current state of R&B.

Be sure to get the album July 31^st and follow Leela James on Twitter

GFM Spotlight Interview Leela James by GrownFolksMusic

Channeling her shero from the upcoming tribute album, Loving You More…In The Spirit of Etta James due to be released July 31^st on Shanachie Entertainment, here is the “blues baby” herself, Leela James.  Also stay tuned to GFM for our upcoming interview with Leela as she speaks about the concept behind this video, keeping Etta’s legacy alive and her feelings on the current state of R&B.

You can also follow Leela on Twitter at @LeelaJames

This summer, Shanachie Entertainment will release the highly anticipated Leela James tribute, In the Spirit of Etta James. In listening to the track, I love Leela’s vocals! Her voice is  rich, indulgent and can be easily translated from soul to rock in the drop of a dime. Similarly, she shares an unusual resemblance to Etta’s punching spirit. On the other hand, the “music” seems to be missing “something”. While I’m not a purist when it comes to the notion of artist remaking classic songs, I have to interject my comment in this case. Appreciating the desire to infuse a new feeling and zest to this  classic, I feel the music has lost that “down-home-I-caught-the -Holy-Ghost” church feel that creates the perfect pairing of Etta’s “tell it like it is” voice. Tell us your thoughts!!!!

Photo credit: Duan Davis Photography

The latest in Walmart’s Soundcheck series brings us GFM fave Leela James. Her album, My Soul, is in stores now.